BubbleStream

Ben Sharpton

7 Sanctuaries

Synopsis

It was a radical time, filled with promise, hope, and exciting new opportunities. It was a time when people made sure their voices were heard; they changed our world forever. It was thrilling and frightening and challenging. That time was the 1960s.
When facing times of tumultuous transformation, people often seek solace and comfort in safe havens—sanctuaries, if you will—to protect themselves and their loved ones from the stormy world around them.
Through it all - the turmoil, the rock music, the assassination of powerful leaders, the tent revivals, KKK rallies, space walks and the war, the little community of Spring Lake grows and flourishes and changes, as does our nation and as does our world.

Author Biography

“Tell stories.” It's one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received. Stories inspire people to grow and expand their horizons. They entertain. They challenge. They comfort. Simply put, they make life much better.
I’ve been telling stories all my life. When I worked with youth years ago, I told stories that helped them understand, learn and develop. Later, as a corporate training manager I used stories to demonstrate examples, to encourage better business practices and to stimulate learning. As an online college professor I found stories to be instrumental in challenging people to think and comprehend.
Today I continue to tell stories. You’ll find them in my nonfiction curriculum books and all of my award-winning novels. My hope is you’ll enjoy my stories and share them with your friends.
Then, tell your own stories. It’s a great piece of advice.

Author Insight

Remember the Moon Walk?

Where were you forty-five years ago on July 21, 1969. Many of us were planted in front of our TVs, watching the first man walk on the moon... This section of 7 SANCTUARIES portrays the Franklin family as they gathered together to watch the moon walk. (NOTE: Michael Jackson had nothing to do with this moonwalk). Enjoy!

Book Excerpt

7 Sanctuaries

July 1969

Shaking the pot vigorously, Katie heard the popcorn kernels popping inside. She turned off the range, lifted the lid and poured the fluffy snack into a large bowl.

“Hurry up,” Ray shouted from the other room. “He’s getting ready to leave the lander.”

“Coming,” Katie shouted back. She shook some salt over the bowl and carried it into the living room. Finding her place in the middle of the sofa, she held the bowl in her lap while Ray and Rob started gorging themselves.

The ghostly images on their new color television set showed Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong descending the ladder of the lunar module and preparing to drop to the moon’s surface.

“I wish Tim could be here with us,” Katie said softly. “Something this important should be shared by the entire family.”

“I’m sure they’re watching this at camp,” Ray said. Tim was spending the summer as a camp counselor at a youth camp in Leesburg, Florida.

No one took their eyes off the television set as the astronaut leapt backwards toward the surface of the moon. When he landed, the trio erupted in cheer. Katie hoped they were also cheering at camp, even all around the globe.